BROOKFIELD -- Former First Selectman Bill Davidson was assessed a $250 fine by the state Elections Enforcement Commission for unintentionally violating a law that prohibits officials from sending out "advocacy communication" to voters.

Republican Matt Grimes filed a complaint last May over a postcard that read "We Urge Your Support" for a referendum to approve a $2.5 million Water Pollution Control Authority sewer extension to three condominium complexes on Route 133 and Silvermine Road.

"At the time of the expenditure, and as stated in the consent order, I did not believe that this postcard mailing involved the use of taxpayer funds," said Davidson, who is now a minority selectmen elected under the Democratic ticket.

"The SEEC, as stated in the consent order, had not previously determined this legal issue. I enthusiastically supported the (sewer) project because it would benefit many residents," Davidson said.

"The inadvertent use of the phrase `We Urge Your Support' should not have occurred in the mailing. As the SEEC stated in the agreement that I reached with them: `The commission acknowledges that the violation set forth herein was not intentional and was based solely on a good faith misunderstanding of applicable law.' "

The commission noted this was Davidson's first violation of state election code.

The town authorized the mailing, which cost $1,250, with the agreement that the Water Pollution Control Authority would reimburse the cost, which it did.

Grimes said he can accept a good faith mistake and has no problem with informational literature being sent to voters, but this was a "no-brainer."

"How he (Davidson) thought that wording was neutral is beyond me," Grimes said.

"This didn't have to happen. Period.

The sewer project was approved.

In recent months, Grimes said, the current Republican administration has determined Davidson acted unilaterally on other matters, including unauthorized appropriation of grant funds without the proper town match for work in the Four Corners revitalization project.

Davidson has admitted an error, but said this should not negate the progress made possible by state grant funds that his administration actively pursued for economic development in town.

"This shows a gross lack of diligence to statutes and the charter that govern the office," Grimes said.